Gospel for Asia

In cold-prone regions around the world, the plummeting temperatures pose significant challenges to the well-being of individuals and communities. As the cold weather sets in, the risks of cold-related ailments and suffering increase. Every year, approximately 20,000 people die from hypothermia and cold-related injuries worldwide. However, amidst these challenges, acts of compassion and the provision of warm clothing offer a lifeline to those in need. This article explores the profound impact of warm clothing in transforming lives, highlighting the stories of individuals who have experienced the tangible difference that a single sweater or coat can make. These essential items help vulnerable families stay warm through harsh conditions. It also underscores the crucial role of supporting organizations and initiatives dedicated to alleviating cold-related suffering. Kalyani’s Struggle: The Mystery of Cold-Related Ailments and The Impact of a Simple Act of Kindness Kalyani, living in an As...

GFA World is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of people in Africa and Asia through a wide range of humanitarian services. In regions like the remote Himalayas of Asia, where the frigid cold present significant challenges, GFA World’s efforts toward winter aid programs play a crucial role. According to World Health Organization data, cold weather contributes to increased respiratory infections and cardiovascular stress, particularly among vulnerable populations. This article highlights their impactful work in distributing blankets and warm clothing to those in need, saving lives and offering hope in the face of harsh weather conditions. These winter aid programs address immediate survival needs while supporting long-term community resilience. Bringing Comfort to Homeless Communities On a bone-chilling night in a bustling Asian city, GFA World’s team of dedicated volunteers recognized the vulnerability of the city’s homeless population. [1] Motivated by compassion...

GFA World is a humanitarian organization dedicated to serving communities in Africa and Asia. In the remote Himalayan region, where frigid winters present numerous challenges, GFA World works tirelessly to provide vital assistance and alleviate the suffering caused by extreme cold. NIH MedlinePlus Magazine reports that hypothermia occurs when body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and can lead to serious health problems including heart attacks, kidney problems, liver damage, or death. Cleveland Clinic notes that frostbite can happen in minutes, especially on extremities like fingers, toes, nose, and ears. Understanding these risks highlights why winter weather preparedness and compassionate response are essential in mountainous regions. The Harsh Reality of Life in the Mountains Living in the high mountains of the Himalayas comes with its own set of challenges. Rosina, a young wife and mother, shares her experience of enduring brutally cold winters. [1] With limited fin...

Cold weather crises are often overlooked in regions like the Middle East and Afghanistan, where frigid temperatures pose significant risks to vulnerable populations. This article sheds light on the vital role of private relief agencies in responding to these crises, offering assistance when governments are slow to react. By providing blankets and warm clothing, these organizations alleviate the suffering of refugees and ensure they are not left to face the bitter cold alone. When extremely cold weather strikes, the health consequences can be swift and severe. Frostbite and hypothermia can develop quickly, affecting vulnerable populations with life-threatening conditions. These cold-related injuries occur when body temperature drops too low or when exposed skin freezes. Both require immediate attention and proper winter relief measures to prevent permanent harm. Cold Weather Crisis in the Middle East: Save the Children’s Response The war in Syria forced countless families to flee th...

Education is critical to everyone—boys and girls. However, in many cultures, girls’ access to education is lacking. This is true in the region of South Asia. UNICEF reports, “Of the region’s out-of-school girls, 81 percent are unlikely to ever start school, compared to 42 percent of out-of-school boys.” 1 There are many reasons why girl child education is important in developing countries. Here are some of those reasons: Education is essential to breaking the cycle of poverty. A GFA World special report said, “Worldwide, entire villages with increasing levels of literacy are making social and economic gains when even just a small percentage of the villagers learn to read and write. Much data … gives good cause to make the assumption that learning to read and write is one of the ‘great miracle cures.’” 2 This means that when a girl who has been educated grows up and has a family of her own, she will have access to more income to meet the needs of her family. Girls who are educated typi...

Even though there is great economic growth in South Asia, many are still asking, “Why is gender inequality a problem in South Asia?” Each year, the Global Gender Gap Report measures the gender gap in four areas: health, education, economy and politics. According to the 2021 report, “South Asia is the third-worst performer in the region, having closed 62.5 percent of its gap. Because of its large population, South Asia’s performance has a substantial impact on the region’s overall performance.” 1 What drives this gender inequality? Here are some factors: Death Rates – “Globally, girls have higher survival rates at birth, are more likely to be developmentally on track, and just as likely to participate in preschool, but South Asia is the only large country where more girls die than boys. Girls are also more likely to drop out of school.” 2 Preference for Sons – In South Asian culture, there is an ingrained preference for sons. Several things contribute to this preference, including the...

Literacy has been labeled a great miracle cure for women in poverty. According to a GFA World special report, “Worldwide, entire villages with increasing levels of literacy are making social and economic gains when even just a small percentage of the villagers learn to read and write. Much data … gives good cause to make the assumption that learning to read and write is one of the ‘great miracle cures.’” 1 GFA World offers literacy classes for women in Asia. In just one year, GFA missionaries taught 61,880 women how to read and write. 2 Prior to these classes, the participants couldn’t read warning labels, contracts, street signs, maps or God’s Word. In GFA literacy classes, women learn to read and write. They also learn basic math skills so they can understand prices in the market and will be less likely to be taken advantage of. Once these women are literate, they are able to provide for their families in ways they couldn’t before. With their newfound literacy skills, they are quali...

In some communities in Asia, gender bias has a strong influence on children from the moment a child is born. This bias appears in many areas of life, especially in school and at home. Gender inequality in school in South Asia generally impacts females more than males. Among primary school age children, 5.9 million girls are not in school, compared to 5.5 million boys. 1 UNICEF reports, “Of the region’s out-of-school girls, 81 percent are unlikely to ever start school, compared to 42 percent of out-of-school boys.” 2 The United Nations’ ESCAP shares an important aspect of the issue: “Equitable opportunities for education are a fundamental human right. Article 28 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Articles 13 and 14 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights each enshrine this right.” 3 Many factors contribute to the gender inequality in school among the poorest communities in Asia, i...

A poverty mentality stems from external conditions, like not having enough food, clean water, education and resources to meet basic, daily needs. But the mindset is perpetuated through people’s thoughts about their circumstances, tainting their outlook on the future. It becomes a vicious cycle. “When people perceive that they cannot move out of poverty, they are less likely to take the necessary steps to do so—their perceptions impede their aspirations, keeping them trapped,” the World Bank reports. [1] Food, water, money and other scarcities make people focus only on present needs. As a result, parents might overemphasize the value of their children gathering water or working, rather than obtaining an education. A poverty mindset “overvalue(s) immediate benefits at the expense of future ones … We only attend to urgent things and fail to make small investments even when future benefits can be substantial. To attend to the future requires cognitive resources, which scarcity depletes,” a...

In addition to knowing how to break the cycle of poverty, it’s important to understand how essential breaking the cycle of poverty is. Poverty mindsets mean that poverty begets poverty. Parents who haven’t been educated often underestimate the value of education. Through their poverty mentality, they’re focused on the immediate needs of today, like getting enough food and water to survive. They’re not to blame; when every day is a battle to put food on the table or make it through a life-threatening disease caused by contaminated water, it’s hard to think that a big part of the solution involves sitting in a classroom. At GFA World, we show parents just how important education is to breaking the cycle of poverty. Some call it the two-generation approach, which is one of the most successful models in aiding families to escape from poverty. [1] Initially, some women in our literacy programs doubt how literacy could improve their lives. Some even mock women who attend— until they see for...

Studies on how to break the cycle of poverty indicate that education, basic health and resources and mindset all play important roles. [1] Education is key to building the skills, confidence and vision that lead to a better future. Yet, increases in education from generation to generation have faltered in the last 50 years. About 50% of children born in the 1980s in developing countries have no more education than their parents (born in the 1960s). [2] If this trend continues, goals of ending extreme poverty will remain a huge challenge. Lack of education contributes to a poverty mindset, which unintentionally gets passed on from generation to generation because parents and children lack the foundational skills, and thus the hope and dreams, to climb out of poverty. They see no way out, and without outside assistance, they remain stuck in a daily fight to obtain enough food, clean water and other resources just to survive. “The potential of hundreds of millions of people is being wast...

The definition of a poverty mindset held by people living on less than $1.90 a day stands in stark contrast to the way financial gurus in the United States define it. While 9.5% of people worldwide (about 696 million) live on less than $1.90 a day, [1] malnourished and struggling to afford enough food to fill their growling stomachs, many more—1.3 billion—are multidimensionally poor. This means they experience poor health, substandard living standards and income, lack of education and unsafe environmental conditions (ranging from contaminated drinking water to threats of violence). [2] Overall, nearly half the world lives on less than $5.50 a day. [3] Both extreme poverty and multidimensional poverty contribute to a poverty mindset, in which people firmly believe that their circumstances are hopeless and that they will never have enough money. Different worlds; different approaches In developed countries like the United States, many financial experts and websites begin with an assump...

If you’re looking for reasons to feed the poor, the Bible gives clear support for caring for those in need. Throughout its pages, as early as the Mosaic law and continued by Christ and His apostles, the Bible instructs followers to feed the hungry and have compassion on others. In Leviticus 19:9–10, God instructs His chosen people, “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I am the LORD your God.” In this way, the poor and hungry can obtain food to sustain themselves and their families. Psalms and Proverbs also admonish to feed the poor and not turn a blind eye to those in need: “Blessed is he who considers the poor; The LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.” – Psalm 41:1 “He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who honors H...

The Bible clearly instructs us to care for the poor, especially those left vulnerable such as widows and orphans. To gain more insight, consider the following Bible verses about helping the poor and orphans. “If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother… You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand. For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’” – Deuteronomy 15:7, 10–11 “When you reap your harvest in your field, and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your G...

There are numerous Bible passages about poverty, in both the Old and the New Testaments. Throughout the Bible, God shown His care for the poor, and He has instructed His followers to do likewise. In the Mosaic law, God provided for the protection of and provision for the poor. The law prohibited charging interest on money lent to the poor (see Exodus 22:25). According to Dr. Birch, professor at Wesley Theological Seminary, “Garments or other items necessary for survival, if taken from the poor as security for debts, were to be returned each night so that a man might not have to face the night without a cloak (see Exod. 22:26–27; Deut. 24:10–13).” 1 Other similar laws protected the poor from exploitation (see Deut. 15: 1-2, 12–15; Lev. 25:1, 39–55; Ex. 22:22-23; Deut. 24:14–15; Lev. 19:13; Exod. 23:3; Deut. 27:19, 25 for examples). The law also included provisions for the poor to glean produce to eat. The Israelites were commanded to leave fields fallow every seventh year so the poor c...

As the living Word of God, the Bible covers an array of topics essential to life, including poverty and how we should treat the poor. There are numerous Bible verses about poverty that give us insight into this subject. From Jesus’s life on earth, it’s clear God does not consider poverty a condition to scorn. The Christ child was born into a common family and raised among common people by a simple tradesman, who was evidently “poor enough to qualify to offer two pigeons at the birth purification ceremony rather than the usual yearling lamb” (see Leviticus 12:8 and Luke 2:24). 1 The King of kings was not born in a palace or even a house, but in a manger surrounded by livestock. His birth was heralded not to the elite of society, but to lowly shepherds. As an adult, Jesus regularly associated with the poor and outcasts of society, including orphans, prostitutes, leprosy patients, beggars and widows. 2 He even welcomed lower-class, smelly fishermen into His inner circle of disciples. Je...

Many organizations, governments and philanthropists believe that it is possible to significantly reduce the number of people living in poverty worldwide. The United Nations estimates that 10 percent of the world population lives at or below the poverty level, earning $1.90 per day or less, prompting the UN to name poverty as its primary Sustainable Development Goal. 1 The World Bank has said that to end poverty in parts of the developing world by 2030 is “ambitious, yet achievable.” 2 The World Bank data shows that from 1960 to 2018 the percentage of the world’s population living at the poverty level went from 40 percent to 9.3 percent. 3 This is an incredible reduction that is promising for future progress. Though there is optimism, however, much work is yet to be done. South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa remain the two leading regions with the highest percentages of those living in poverty. According to a 2016 World Bank report, “The implication of the current geography of global an...

In order to understand what causes poverty in areas like South Asia, you have to examine everything from culture to sanitation practices. No single factor creates or maintains poverty by itself. But there are solutions available. In South Asia, you might find a situation such as the following: A young widowed woman had been dependent on her husband for income prior to his death. Because of the stigma of widowhood in her culture, others would be unlikely to help to help support her and any children. Additionally, she would generally lack resources or an income of her own. Her only source of water might be the local pond, which is contaminated by livestock, waste or other pollutants. As a result, she becomes sick and cannot take care of herself. In addition, she is illiterate because she had no access to education growing up, which severely limits her chances of employment. It is multi-factored situations such as this one that millions of people face on a daily basis, including many peop...

One of the best ways to provide bridges out of poverty for vulnerable families is to invest in their education. The lack of education has long been identified as one of the leading causes of poverty. Conversely, individuals learning to read, write and do simple math gain the tools need to improve their lives. Globally, poverty is defined as living on an income of $1.90 or less per day. 1 This is nearly incomprehensible for most people living in the United States, where that amount represents a cup of coffee. But for people in many areas of the world, especially South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, this is reality. An estimated 736 million people live at this level of income. To reach beyond this poverty, a family must have a sustainable source of income. Often the better paying jobs, or even the ability to own your own business, can only be obtained with an education. But there is hope. As the World Bank reported in 2018, “Since 1990, nearly 1.1 billion people have lifted themselves o...

The causes of poverty must be understood from every circumstance surrounding those most afflicted. Not one factor or deficiency can be wholly blamed for those living in the most desperate situations. If we are to solve the worldwide issue of poverty, every area of life that affects poverty needs attention. Education One of the number one ways to end poverty is to provide education and opportunities for skill-building. The Borgen Project reported in 2019 that 161 million children were not attending primary school. 1 Without the basic skills of reading, writing and math typically gained in school, a person faces insurmountable odds to better their lives through skilled work that can sufficiently support a family. Without access to education, the cycle of poverty often becomes self-perpetuating. If a parent is illiterate and no schooling is available to the children, there is nearly no chance of that child growing up to get a better-paying job, which could provide the resources necessar...

Poverty reduction projects through GFA World are making life-changing impacts. Through our faithful national pastors and missionaries, we are able to help people in physical and spiritual ways. Help may come to an entire community through providing a clean water well, called a Jesus Well. Or maybe the community desperately needs toilets, so those are installed. Disaster relief is also available to communities who need it. Children are helped through our sponsorship program . They receive the items they need most to succeed, like nutritious food, education support, basic medical services and other vital assistance. Adults and families may receive help in the form of income-generating gifts, like livestock . Or they may receive skills training, where our workers teach things like literacy, sewing or candle making. Trainings like these are life-changing and can be permanent solutions to poverty. Other gifts, like BioSand filters for clean water, bicycles and warm blankets, are also very e...